Hand-Held X-Ray Backscatter Imaging Device

Abstract

Apparatus for imaging items behind a concealing barrier. A source of penetrating radiation is contained entirely within a housing. A spatial modulator forms the penetrating radiation into a beam and sweeps the beam to irradiate an inspected object. A detector generates a scatter signal based on penetrating radiation scattered by contents of the inspected object, and a sensor senses motion relative to a previous position of the apparatus with respect to the inspected object. A processor receives the scatter signal and generates an image of the contents of the inspected object based at least on the scatter signal. The housing may be adapted for singled-handed retention by an operator

Description

[0001]The present application claims the priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61 / 591,360, filed Jan. 27, 2012, and of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. Nos. 61 / 598,521, and 61 / 598,576, both filed Feb. 14, 2012, and U.S. Provisional Patent Applications Ser. No. 61 / 607,066, filed Mar. 6, 2012, all of which applications are incorporated herein by reference.TECHNICAL FIELD[0002]The present invention relates to systems and methods for x-ray imaging, and, more particularly, to systems and methods for x-ray imaging employing detection, at least, of scattered x-rays.BACKGROUND ART[0003]X-ray backscatter techniques have been used over the last 25 years in order to detect items located behind a concealing barrier, without requiring the need to place an x-ray detector distal to the object being imaged (relative to the x-ray source). This has proven to be very beneficial for certain imaging applications, such as the one-sided inspection (i.e., with detector and source...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides an imaging apparatus that can safely and effectively inspect objects using radiation. The apparatus has a housing for containing the radiation source and a spatial modulator to form the radiation beam. It also has a detector for receiving the scattered radiation and a sensor to detect motion of the apparatus. A processor generates an image based on the scattered radiation. The apparatus has a friction mitigator for smooth contact with the object and may also have handles and an interlock to deactivate the radiation source if no object is detected. A transmission detector may also be included, along with a flexible backscatter shield for conforming to the surface of the object.

Problems solved by technology

To date, however, these devices have tended to be fairly large and heavy due to the size and weight of the x-rays sources, the beam-forming mechanism that is needed to create the scanning pencil beam, and the detectors that detect the backscattered x-rays.

In either case, to create a 2-dimensional backscatter image, there must be relative motion of the system and the object being scanned, and this requirement usually adds significant additional weight, size, and complexity to the imaging system.

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